Budget Bill Bans Lottery Ticket E-Sales

A provision in the Ohio House version of the state budget bill prohibits the Ohio Lottery from following the lead of other states and selling tickets directly to players via computers and hand-held devices. Online sales are seen as a way for the lottery to attract younger customers and compete with casinos. Critics see it as an expansion of gambling and worry that minors could buy tickets using their parents' credit or debit cards. Retailers who use the lottery as a draw and receive commissions also are expressing concerns.